Brian Graves 2019

Brian Graves

Brian Graves joined North Carolina Central in 2019 after spending a year as an assistant coach at Longwood University.  Prior to that, he was an assistant coach at Hampton University from 2016-18.  While with the Pirates, he helped the squad to a 23-9 MEAC record over two seasons, and made an impact in recruiting.  Before coaching at Hampton, Graves had his first head coaching job at Bryant & Stratton, and steered them to a 19-11 record in NJCAA Division II in 2015-16.

Prior to being head coach at Bryant & Stratton, Graves held his first collegiate post at his alma mater, Catawba, from 2012-15 as associate head coach.  He once again made an impact in recruiting with the Indians, bringing in 2015 South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year Jerrin Morrison, All-SAC first-teamer Kijuan Arrington and SAC All-Freshman pick Jameel Taylor. Graves was also a four-year starter and three-time All-SAC selection at Catawba from 2003-07 as a point guard, and he is the SAC’s all-time leader with 600 career assists, and second in league history with 203 in a single season, and 15 in a single game.

Following his college playing career, Graves went on to the professional ranks, playing for the Grevenbroich Elephants in Germany in 2007-08 and 2009-10, the Vermont Frost Heaves in the Premier Basketball League in 2009, and the Tru Hope Trailblazers in the Atlantic Coast Professional Basketball League from 2010-11. He captained both Grevenbroich and Tru Hope and earned all-league honors at both stops, including German All-Regionalliga West first team honors in 2010 and All-ACPBL second-team recognition in 2011.
 
Following his playing career, Graves entered the coaching ranks as the junior varsity head coach at Heritage High School from 2010-12, leading the team to the Peninsula District Championship in 2011.
 
Graves, who received his Bachelor of Science in sports management from Catawba in 2007 and his Master of Sports Administration from Hampton this past May, is married to the former Gabriel Johnson. The couple has a son, BJ.